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Michigan Back-to-School Resources for Caregivers

Date:

August 15, 2025

Topics

Mental Health,

Crisis Timeline

Prevention Planning

Audience

Parents & Families

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About this Guide

As a caregiver, you want your student to return to a safe and caring school environment. As school staff prepare for a new year, you can help create a more positive and safe school environment by supporting your child’s mental and physical health at home. Here are some strategies and resources that may be useful in helping your student have a successful year.

Related Resources

Consider Social Media and Screen Time

Without boundaries, social media use and excessive screen time can harm children’s and teens’ mental health, language development, behavior, academic performance, and relationships.1 The Surgeon General’s Social Media and Youth Mental Health advisory highlights these concerns and offers recommendations to help reduce harm. (see pages 17-18) The American Academy of Pediatrics addresses frequently asked questions on its Social Media and Youth Mental Health Q&A Portal.

Find Academic Assistance

School safety, school climate, and positive youth development are linked to academic performance2. Supporting student learning outside of school hours can further enhance their success. Local libraries, neighborhood churches, academic sororities and fraternities, and community organizations—such as your local 100 Black Men, YMCA, and YWCA —may offer free or low-cost support. Students from your local high schools and colleges often volunteer as tutors and mentors. Contact your child’s school to find out if they offer school-based tutoring.

Improve Sleep

Healthy sleep patterns are essential for school-aged students, because they significantly impact brain development, mental health, and behavior.3 The University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital offers Sleep Hygiene recommendations for children, while the CDC’s Sleep and Health webpage outlines the benefits of adequate rest and the risks associated with insufficient sleep.

Increase School Communication

Students whose caregivers are actively involved in their education are more likely to have better grades and test scores, attend school regularly, and develop stronger social skills, all of which contribute to a healthier school environment and promote positive youth development4. The National PTA’s publication 20 Questions Every Parent Should Ask helps caregivers ensure their child is in a safe and supportive school environment. The U.S. Department of Education’s parent checklist offers questions to stay informed and communicate with school staff.

Prevent Bullying and Cyberbullying

Bullying can contribute to negative school environments where students feel unsafe and unsupported5. Michigan law requires schools to adopt and enforce anti-bullying policies to prevent it.6 If you think your student is being bullied, share your concerns with the school and visit StopBullying.gov for guidance on how to respond. The Center for Safe Schools also offers Bullying Prevention Tips for Parents and Caregivers.

Support Students with Disabilities

Schools that are inclusive of all students create positive climates, leading to safer school environments.7 If your child has a disability, connect with Michigan’s Alliance for Families to learn how they can support you and your child. You can also visit the Special Needs Alliance for additional resources and support.

Encourage Healthy Eating

Nutrition supports school safety by influencing physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being, academic performance, and the overall school community.8 MyPlate.gov provides healthy recipes and nutrition recommendations based on a student’s age, height, and activity level. The United Dairy Industry of Michigan offers information on food, nutrition, recipes, hydration, and sports nutrition. Families who need assistance with food can visit MI Bridges, connect with Michigan 211, or reach out to the Food Bank Council of Michigan.

Promote Reporting with OK2SAY

OK2SAY is Michigan’s confidential reporting system designed to help prevent violence in schools. It allows students, parents, and other school community members to report concerns about mental health or potential threats.9 To learn more, visit OK2SAY. To submit a confidential tip, visit the website or text 652729.

Support Emotional Well-Being

Positive emotional well-being involves managing emotions effectively, having a sense of purpose, and maintaining nurturing relationships.10 Research shows that lower stress and anxiety levels can reduce conflicts, improve behavior, and boost self-worth, all of which contribute to a safer school environment.11 As a caregiver, you can support your student by connecting with resources such as Michigan’s Hope Network, which connects families and students with therapy and counseling services, and Michigan’s Association for Children’s Mental Health, which offers information, support, resources, and referrals for youth with mental, emotional, or behavioral concerns. For tips on discussing mental health with your child, watch the National Center for School Safety recorded webinar: Supporting Youth Mental Health. Also, remind your child that calling or texting 988 will connect anyone to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Contributors

  • Sarah Taylor (Instructional Designer, Michigan School Safety Initiative)
  • Cassandra Johnson (School Safety Outreach Specialist, Michigan School Safety Initiative)
  • Cindi Thronson (Project Manager, Michigan School Safety Initiative)
  • Carolyn Seiger (Instructional Designer, National Center for School Safety)

References

  1. Muppalla, S. K., Vuppalapati, S., Reddy Pulliahgaru, A., & Sreenivasulu, H. (n.d.). Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development: An Updated Review and Strategies for Management. Cureus, 15(6), e40608. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40608 ↩︎
  2. School Climate | SchoolSafety.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://www.schoolsafety.gov/school-climate ↩︎
  3. Children’s sleep linked to brain development. (2022, August 30). National Institutes of Health (NIH). https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/children-s-sleep-linked-brain -development ↩︎
  4. Impact of Family Engagement | Youth.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://youth.gov/youth-topics/impact-family-engagement ↩︎
  5. Affairs (ASPA), A. S. for P. (2019, September 24). Warning Signs for Bullying [Text]. https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/warning-signs ↩︎
  6. Affairs (ASPA), A. S. for P. (2019, September 24). Michigan Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies [Text]. https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws/michigan 7. Guiding Principles for Creating Safe, Inclusive, Supportive, and Fair School Climates. (2023). ↩︎
  7. Guiding Principles for Creating Safe, Inclusive, Supportive, and Fair School Climates. (2023). https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/school-discipline/guiding-principles.pdf ↩︎
  8. Childhood Nutrition Facts | Healthy Schools | CDC. (2022, August 5). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/facts.htm ↩︎
  9. Messman, E., Heinze, J., Hsieh, H. F., Hockley, N., Pomerantz, N., Grodzinski, A., Scott, B., Goldstein, N., & Zimmerman, M. (2024). Anonymous Reporting Systems for School-Based Violence Prevention: A Systematic Review. Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education, 51(1), 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1177/10901981211073734 ↩︎
  10. CDC. (2024, May 16). About Emotional Well-Being. Emotional Well Being. https://www.cdc.gov/emotional-well-being/about/index.html ↩︎
  11. Lester, L., & Cross, D. (2015). The Relationship Between School Climate and Mental and Emotional Wellbeing Over the Transition from Primary to Secondary School. Psychology of Well-Being, 5(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13612-015-0037-8 ↩︎